This is a re-blog and a helpful guide for reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to 2021.
As we come to the end of 2020, its natural to reflect on the year that has gone by, as well as to look forward to the new year. I dropped New Year Resolutions many years ago – Getting into action in the dead of winter is extra hard work.
This is a time for reflection and semi-hibernation before the juices start flowing again in early spring.
Instead of New Year Resolutions I practice “kind sight” instead.
Here is a journaling exercise that you can do at a quiet moment now that the rush of the Holidays is over. I like to think of this as a Middle Ground moment. A time for being present, reflecting and allowing our inner wisdom to inspire us for whatever comes next.
Take a few moments to let yourself get settled and comfortable.
Start by reflecting with “kind sight”on the past year. “Kind sight” simply means being kind to yourself, instead of being critical and hard on yourself. With “kind sight” we are able to see mistakes as lessons, and life’s challenges as times of resiliency, courage and personal growth. This surely has been a year for all of that.
Ask yourself the following questions and write down your answers:
What happened during 2020….
What was a highlight?
What was a lowlight?
What was a surprise?
What do I feel proud of?
What do I feel grateful for?
What did I learn (or am still learning) from either the highlights or lowlights?
Some people do a month by month reflection, while others evaluate each area of their life (career, family, health, hobbies, learning, contribution, spirituality, travel, environment, self-care, personal growth)
Once you’ve reflected on 2020, write a Future Gratitude Letter:
This is a letter to yourself written a year in advance, describing all the things that you are grateful for during the year. Start with the date December 31 2021 and address it to yourself.
Include who you’ve become and what you now have or are moving towards. Be careful not to include anything that feels like a “have to” goal or something that you “should” achieve.
This is a letter of “kind sight” for the year ahead. The key is in the energy. If your energy feels uplifted when you think about the things you’re grateful for in a year’s time, then you are tapping into your own inner wisdom.
It’s a wonderful process, very revealing and enlightening, especially over the next year. Let the creative tension and intention begin its journey.
thank you for this, val –
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You’re welcome Beth! Happy New Year to you and yours 🎉
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Love the notion of “kind sight.” What a great way to end the year and find its hidden gifts. Thanks!
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Thank you Donna. Happy New Year to you and yours 🎉💕
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I liked your encouragement to pass over the resolutions, Val, and enjoyed your guidance for how to embrace kind sight. Great post, Val. Cheers to a sweet year ahead.
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Thank you Jet. Happy New Year to you and yours 💕🎉
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Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year Val! ⌚🔢🕛🎊🧨🍾
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Happy and Healthy – right back at you Cindy! May we also travel next year with ease and have encounters worth sharing 💕
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What a lovely idea, thank you
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Thank you Sandra 💕
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What a great idea, Val! As soon as I quit daily blogging am going to spend some time settling introspectively and quietly for a few days. Kind sight may be part of this!
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Good idea. You deserve a nourishing break. What an insightful and moving 75 days it has been. Thank you for sharing it all Kathy 💕
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Happy New Year, Val!
What do you bet that Hogmanay will involve fewer first footers in 2021?
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I think first footers will be arrested!! Although in our family we used to send my brother outside with a lump of coal and a whisky to come back in again!
Happy New Year Nancy 💕
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That works!
Oh, you take the high road
And I’ll take the low road
And I’ll drink the whisky afore you! 😀
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Laughing … wish I liked whisky 😆
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I can’t drink it straight ~ I need to mix it with Ginger Ale OR have one of my grandfather’s whisky sours!
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I love the idea of kindsight! Wishing you a year filled with good things.
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Thank you so much Fiona. Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year. 💕🎉
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A good exercise, Val. One could do a version of it every month or even daily when preparing for sleep. Our inner critic could use a bit of dampening! ❤
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love the phrase “kind sight”; best wishes for a Happy New Year, Val!
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What a unique and different idea, Val. Thank you! I like the concept of “kind sight.” We are our own worst critics, for sure.
Happy New Year! 💗🎉
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Thank you Lauren. Happy New Year to you and yours.💛🎉💛
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This resonated, Val. What a wonderful exercise. I printed your post so I can revisit it monthly during my meditations. Thank you, and wishing you a year of growth, peace, and happiness. ❤
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Thank you Diana. Its a lovely reflection … some peeps do a mini version every night. It helps to become present and find balance while the world keeps spinning. 💕
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I know that I wouldn’t stick with an every-night practice. But as the months’ or seasons’ change… can do! 😀
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Thank You, Your Tips will help us in 2021… ❤
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So glad it resonated Logibones. Happy New Year.
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